Everton's joint top scorers Eleman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil could be missing as the Toffees attempt to extend their unbeaten run to five games at home to in-form Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday (3pm GMT).
Midfielders Ndiaye and McNeil have each scored three of Everton's 15 Premier League goals this season, with the Englishman also providing four assists.
“It's still just a fluid scenario, these games come thick and fast – so it's probably, at the moment, whether Dwight will make it or not,” Everton manager Sean Dyche said.
“We'll have to wait and see. We just have to check on Elie (Ndiaye). I replaced him in the last game because of a little calf strain, and we'll wait and see how it settles.
This is what he does 🤩 pic.twitter.com/xstluSkCJN
– Everton (@Everton) December 27, 2024
Manchester City vs Everton: Ndiaye's goal
Senegal international Ndiaye scored a memorable first-half equalizer in his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Thursday before being withdrawn nine minutes from time.
Visiting goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also saved City top scorer Erling Haaland's penalty after the break, as Everton secured back-to-back draws against fourth-placed Arsenal and second-placed and current champions Chelsea.
“It would have been tough on them, so we take that point,” Dyche said when asked if Everton could win, adding that he was “not surprised or relieved” by his players’ performance.
“I believe in them too. He just lacked a little bit of intent. Two losses in 13 games – I know there were a lot of draws – but it's not easy to do that in the Premier League.”
– Iliman Ndiaye (@iliman_ndiaye) December 26, 2024
Everton vs Forest
Forest's 1-0 win at home to Tottenham later on Thursday means they move into fourth place and on a four-game winning streak.
A win would raise Nuno Espirito Santo's team to second place, despite Forest losing both matches to Everton last season without scoring a goal.
Forest's only win in the last nine editions of the game came over Everton in 1999, a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park in August 2022, their best result since then.
Everton, which is in 15th place, is three points ahead of Leicester City, which is in thirteenth place, and has a game in hand, and five points ahead of Manchester United, which is directly ahead of it.
